"Obviously we want to try and emulate the type of system they run with the big club in Anaheim," Holick said in a conference call Friday.

"The communication will be huge between (the Ducks) and myself ... For me it's 'come to work every day.' Our players come to work and play hard."

The Ducks' aggressive forechecking style fused perfectly with a Stanley Cup-ready roster in the later part of the decade.

But the team has struggled to dominate under that style as their personnel has changed in the salary cap era. The organization was further hampered by lack of an AHL affiliate last season, and Holick's hiring represents a step toward stability.

Holick will be charged with handling the club's prospects and delivering reports on their development.

This could be particularly important next season as the Ducks have several players ready to be NHL regulars who could spend time in Syracuse: forwards Troy Bodie, Dan Sexton, Matt Beleskey and defensemen Brendan Mikkelson and Brett Festerling come to mind.

The fact that he has not coached at the AHL level doesn't faze Holick, who is ready for the challenge after more than a decade in the WHL and minor and junior outposts in British Columbia and Alberta.

"It's 'take it all in stride,' " he said. "I was taken aback by the interest. I was quite flattered. I'm confident in my abilities. I've been a coach for a long time. Our teams have had success. I'm looking forward to the challenge. I'm just excited and I can't wait to get going."

Holick's hiring came out of a chance meeting with Ducks general manager Bob Murray, who met Holick at a prospects camp at Anaheim Ice in April. Murray offered Holick an interview and the multi-year agreement was made last weekend.

Holick comes off a Coach of the Year award-winning season with the Kootenay Ice, who ranked in the top eight in goals scored and goals against in the 22-team Western Hockey League.

Holick's familiarity with WHL players will come in handy for next month's draft, and he has been graded high for his communication skills and stern-but-approachable demeanor.

Holick noted he has been a coach for a long time but when asked if the NHL was a long-term goal he wasn't ready to publicly think about it.

"You want to be at the highest level, but I'm in no rush," he said "Right now my focus is on Syracuse and helping them be a success on and off the ice … I'm not too concerned about what the future holds on a personal level."

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